When did hospitals start using plastic IV bags? A timeline of medical innovation

October 2, 2025 •

4 min read

Intravenous (IV) therapy has existed for centuries, but for decades, glass bottles were the standard, causing significant logistical and safety issues. Learn when did hospitals start using plastic IV bags and the revolutionary reasons that drove this shift in medical history.

Quick Summary

The transition from glass to plastic IV bags began in the 1950s, but widespread adoption occurred in the 1970s, primarily driven by safety concerns, advancements in plastic manufacturing, and wartime necessities. Baxter International's development of the flexible PVC Viaflex bag in the 1960s was a critical turning point that rapidly replaced fragile glass bottles.

Key Points

Timeline: The first plastic IV bags were introduced in the 1950s, but widespread hospital adoption did not occur until the 1970s.
Predecessor: Before plastic, all IV fluids were stored in heavy, fragile glass bottles that were prone to breaking and contamination.
Pivotal Innovation: Baxter International's development of the flexible PVC "Viaflex" bag in the mid-1960s was a major catalyst for the industry-wide change.
Key Advantage: The shift from vented glass bottles to closed plastic systems dramatically reduced the risk of airborne contamination and infection.
Driven by Safety and Logistics: The change was fueled by the military's need for more durable blood and fluid containers during the Korean War and the hospitals' need for more efficient, safer products.
Ongoing Evolution: Modern IV bags now often use non-PVC materials like EVA and PP to address concerns about chemical leaching and improve compatibility with sensitive drugs.

The Era of the Glass Bottle: IV Therapy Before Plastic

Before the 1950s, all IV solutions were administered from rigid, heavy glass bottles. This method, while effective for fluid delivery, presented numerous challenges for hospitals and military medics. Logistically, the bottles were fragile and heavy, making transport and storage difficult and inefficient. In the field, especially during wartime like the Korean War, glass bottles often shattered under harsh conditions, leading to critical product loss and dangerous situations. Furthermore, administering fluids from a glass bottle required a vented system to displace the liquid, which risked airborne contamination.

The Catalysts for Change: Driving Innovation from Glass to Plastic

The shift to plastic IV bags wasn't a single event but a gradual process fueled by wartime needs, plastic advancements, and safety demands.

The Korean War and the push for better blood storage

During the Korean War in the early 1950s, the U.S. Military faced immense challenges in transporting and storing blood and IV solutions. Fragile glass bottles led to excessive breakage, rendering precious supplies unusable and costing lives. This crisis highlighted the urgent need for a more durable, flexible, and lightweight container for life-saving fluids. Early versions of PVC blood bags proved far more resilient in the field, paving the way for wider use of plastic in medical containers.

The rise of plastic manufacturing

The mid-20th century saw rapid development in the plastics industry. Manufacturers began to produce flexible, clear, and durable PVC that was suitable for medical use. The development of PVC tubing also allowed for more efficient, airtight delivery sets, overcoming the contamination risks associated with the vented glass bottles.

Enter Baxter International's "Viaflex" bag

A pivotal moment came in the mid-1960s when Baxter International, a medical device company, introduced its flexible PVC IV bag, known as "Viaflex." This innovation was a direct response to the limitations of glass. By using a non-vented, closed system, the Viaflex bag drastically reduced the risk of contamination. Initially, it was only accepted by a few forward-thinking medical centers. However, a dramatic incident involving a high-profile surgeon, Dr. Denton Cooley, who witnessed a glass IV bottle shatter at his feet and demanded a change, reportedly accelerated the adoption of the Viaflex product in his hospital and others.

The Great Transition: Widespread Adoption in the 1970s

Following the success and improved safety profile of the Viaflex bag, the entire healthcare industry rapidly transitioned to flexible PVC products. By the 1970s, flexible plastic IV bags were the standard across most hospitals and healthcare facilities. The change was driven by several key benefits:

Enhanced Safety: The closed, non-vented system significantly reduced the risk of airborne contamination and infection.
Improved Efficiency: Lighter, unbreakable bags simplified logistics, reduced shipping costs, and made handling easier for medical staff.
Greater Durability: Plastic bags eliminated the risk of breakage during transport, storage, and handling.
Better Patient Experience: The flexible bags were easier to manage and less intimidating for patients.

Comparison: Glass vs. Plastic IV Bags


Feature	Glass IV Bottles	Plastic IV Bags (Early PVC)
Durability	Highly fragile, prone to shattering.	Highly durable and flexible, virtually unbreakable.
Weight	Heavy and bulky, increasing shipping costs and labor.	Lightweight and compact, reducing transport and storage issues.
Contamination Risk	Vented system required, increasing risk of airborne contaminants.	Closed, non-vented system, dramatically reducing contamination risk.
Handling	Cumbersome to transport and set up.	Easy to handle, store, and dispose of.
Cost	More expensive to produce and transport due to weight and fragility.	Less expensive to produce and transport, making them more economical.
Leaching Concerns	Highly inert and resistant to chemical leaching.	Initial concerns with phthalate (DEHP) leaching into solutions.
Sterilization	Steam sterilization (autoclave) compatible.	Required specific sterilization methods due to plastic composition.

Modern Developments and Future Outlook

Over the decades, the technology has continued to evolve. Concerns about phthalates like DEHP leaching from early PVC bags prompted further innovation. Today, many hospitals use non-PVC plastic IV bags made from alternative materials like ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and polypropylene (PP). These alternatives address potential health risks and offer specific benefits for sensitive medications, like chemotherapy drugs, that can interact with PVC. Advancements also include multi-chamber bags for easier drug mixing and specialized bags for total parenteral nutrition (TPN).

Conclusion: A Shift Driven by Safety and Efficiency

The adoption of plastic IV bags marked a profound shift in modern medicine, moving away from the fragile, inefficient glass bottle system to a safer, more durable, and more cost-effective alternative. It was a critical innovation that improved patient safety and streamlined hospital operations, demonstrating how a simple change in container material could have a far-reaching impact on healthcare delivery. For a deeper dive into modern medical plastics and their applications, you can explore resources from organizations like the American Chemical Council.

Frequently Asked Questions

While early plastic IV bags were made of PVC (polyvinyl chloride), modern IV bags increasingly use non-PVC materials like EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) and polypropylene (PP). This change addresses concerns about potential chemical leaching, specifically phthalates like DEHP, ensuring greater patient safety.

Glass IV bottles were heavy, fragile, and required a vented system, which created a pathway for airborne contaminants to enter the solution. They were also inefficient for transport and storage due to their weight and the risk of shattering, particularly in demanding conditions like battlefields.

Yes, the switch to flexible plastic IV bags significantly improved patient safety. The closed, non-vented system drastically reduced the risk of airborne contamination and infection compared to the older glass bottle system.

Although introduced earlier, hospitals began adopting plastic IV bags on a mass scale during the 1970s. This followed the successful introduction of products like Baxter's Viaflex bag and a growing recognition of the logistical and safety advantages over glass.

A vented IV container, like the early glass bottles, requires an external air source to displace the fluid, increasing the risk of contamination. A non-vented container, like modern plastic IV bags, collapses as the fluid is administered, eliminating the need for an external vent and creating a closed, safer system.

The high rate of breakage and loss of critical blood and fluid supplies in glass bottles during the Korean War was a major driver for seeking a more durable alternative. This military need for improved storage and transport accelerated the development and acceptance of plastic medical containers.

Modern concerns mostly revolve around the use of PVC and its plasticizers like DEHP, which can leach into some sensitive medications. This has led to the development and increased use of safer, non-PVC alternatives, especially for at-risk patient populations and specific drug formulations.